Something Sweeter

by Candis Terry

  Tonight was all about her. No matter how badly he wanted to sink deep inside her warmth. He wouldn’t let that happen until she’d been satisfied over and over. Until he’d tasted her. Devoured her. And let her know that in this relationship, he was more than willing to give her whatever she needed. Wanted. Desired. He didn’t mean just sex although that was about to happen. He meant everything he had, body, mind, heart, and soul.

  He’d never felt so strongly about a woman. It was new and exhilarating, and he was ready to explore whatever it was and wherever it took them.

  It was his turn.

  And he planned to enjoy every second.

  He pushed the jeans down her legs, tossed them aside on the blanket, and positioned himself between her soft thighs. Leaving her ice-­cream-­colored panties on, he laid her back, slid his fingers into her long, silky hair, and lost himself in her heat. Her scent. And the exhilaration surging through his veins.

  When he moved his mouth down the slender column of her neck, she let go a long, seductive sigh. Moonlight peeked through the leaves of the oaks and splashed her skin with highlights and shadows. Beneath his tongue, her pulse throbbed.

  “Take your pants off, Jesse.” She reached for him. Tangled her fingers in his hair. “I want to feel you.”

  He didn’t dare. If he so much as came in direct contact with all her warm, sweet-­scented flesh, his good intentions would shatter. He wanted her, in the worst way. But he wanted her moaning with pleasure and release before he allowed his own. Right now, nothing else mattered but her and this time they had together.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He looked at her lying there bathed in moonlight. His fingertips tingled to life as they met her warm skin. “Just let me love you.”

  He pressed his lips between her breasts, and her throaty moan vibrated through him. She arched against him, her response to his request. He took his time sweeping his lips and tongue over the sweetness of her flesh, working his way down her body until he reached that tiny little patch of lace. He’d never thought a scrap of material could be sexier than a woman’s naked body. But on Allison, the sheer fabric was like whipped cream on top of the most delicious dessert.

  Her moist heat greeted him as he slipped his fingers beneath the elastic band and moved the material aside. When he pressed his lips to the inside of her silky thighs, she moaned. Whispered his name on a sigh. She wanted him. And that knowledge swelled in his heart.

  A sense of pleasure washed over him. With her in his arms, there was no place on earth he’d rather be. He vowed to take his time and love her thoroughly. He wanted her to connect. Bond. And remember this night even if she was thousands of miles away.

  A smile brushed his mouth as he lowered his head and proceeded to take her to those places she’d never been.

  Including heaven.

  Chapter 15

  If the actual wedding day and reception were a high point of stress for a bride, the rehearsal dinner rated top with the groom’s family. As Jesse was once more relegated to manning the enormous BBQ grill, he smiled at the flurry of activity. While tending to a multiple of chores, his mother barked out instructions. The rest of the family scurried about with their assigned tasks.

  Though the guest list was comprised of mostly family, there were several out-­of-­towners such as Charli’s father and his new barely-­over-­the-­legal-­age girlfriend. This, according to Reno, had Charli more stressed out than all the other prewedding disasters put together. Jesse had never crossed paths with General Brooks during his time in the Marines, but he knew of his tough reputation, and he knew the man had used that same method in raising his children.

  Weddings and funerals always seemed to bring out the worst in some ­people. Which was probably what had both Charli and Nick on edge.

  With all the high stress levels and fuss, Jesse was happy to mind the brisket. And while he slathered the tender beef with more sauce, he promised himself that if he should ever marry, he’d prefer a quick and easy ceremony. Something more about the bond than cake and flowers.

  Dead center of all the activity, Allison flashed him a smile as she rushed by with her arms full of Mason-­jar centerpieces blooming with daisies. Since the night he’d taken her riding—in more ways than one—they hadn’t had much time together. She’d been focused on helping Charli and his mother, and he’d been swamped at the clinic with spays and neuters. Seems she’d gotten the brighter end of the spectrum.

  But when he’d dropped her back off at her father’s house in the glow of the morning sun, he knew they’d found something together neither of them had expected.

  He wasn’t surprised to find that as she passed by him now, his body hit full alert. Her sweet scent wafted by as if he’d walked into a cupcake shop, and his appetite increased for more than barbecue.

  That she fit in so well with the others in his life spoke volumes. Not everyone could manage to keep up with the high-­velocity lifestyle they lived. Yet in the past weeks, she’d proven not only that she could keep up, she could soar past them and not even blink. He’d never thought about finding the right woman or what she might even be like. He knew now Allison was perfect for him. In every way.

  Something warm fluttered in the center of his chest as Izzy, in a pretty pink polka-­dotted dress, came running up and threw herself into his arms.

  “Hey there, little darlin’.” He gave her a kiss on her chubby cheek. “What are you up to?”

  “Stayin’ outta gwanma’s way.”

  He laughed. “Is grandma getting grumpy?”

  Izzy nodded, and her springy blond curls bounced.

  “You want to hang out here with me?”

  “Yeth.”

  “Are you giving me that big smile, so I’ll tell you where grandma’s stash of candy is hidden?”

  “No, Unca Jethe.” She planted her little hands on his cheeks and batted her eyelashes. “I wub you.”

  He laughed. Even at three years old, a female knew how to use her wiles to get what she wanted. He opened his mouth to give away the secret location of the jar of lollipops his mother kept hidden only to be sidelined by the woman herself.

  “I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. You look good holding a baby, son.”

  “Don’t go getting any ideas, Mom.”

  “I not a baby, gwanma.”

  His mother reached out and took his niece, placing loud squeaky kisses on her cheeks and making her giggle. It was nice to have a little one in the family. Hopefully, his soon-­to-­be-­married brothers would do their part to add to the clan. He wouldn’t mind having a few of his own someday, but he didn’t plan to advertise that to anyone. Especially his meddling, crafty mother.

  “Go get your daddy to give you a lollipop, sugarplum.” His mother set Izzy down. “And y’all tell him to hurry up with getting those chairs out to the tables.”

  “Mom, she’s three. You think she’s going to remember anything past lollipop?”

  “Probably not.” A chuckle slipped past her smile. “But I’m trying to train her early. Unlike you and your brothers, who had selective hearing when it came to chores until . . . well, you still do. Guess that’s the difference in boys and girls.” She turned and gestured toward Allison, who was now helping Fiona put tablecloths on the picnic tables. “The girls are already on top of things without any prompting.”

  “This conversation leading somewhere?” he asked. “Or have you been tipping the cooking wine?”

  “Oh so perceptive.” She patted his cheek. “Things seem to be going well between you and Allison. Her daddy told me you kept her out practically till dawn with an impromptu trail ride the other night.”

  “Just thought she might like to learn a little horsemanship before she went back to the concrete jungle.”

  “So y’all were riding all night?”

  So to speak. “No. We stopped by
the creek and had a chat.”

  “Jesse, sugarplum–”

  “Wait.” He held up his BBQ tongs. “Is this going to lead into a lecture with a football analogy?”

  “You know me too well.” She grinned. “How about I leave out the football?”

  “How about you leave out the lecture?”

  “Now where’s the fun in that?” She patted his biceps the way she had when he was a kid about to get a vaccination. “I’m not pushing for details. Just make my heart happy and tell me you’re interested in the girl.”

  He glanced across the lawn to the subject matter, who looked appetizing as hell in a low-­cut floral sundress and cowgirl boots. “She’s a beautiful woman.”

  “And you’re interested?”

  “And you’re butting in because?”

  “Not butting in. Just verifying that the smile you’ve been toting around lately is because of her and that I haven’t just been imagining things. Starts happening when you get older, you know.”

  “Bull. You’re too insightful for your own good,” was all he’d admit to.

  “Why is it so hard for you to admit you’ve got a thing for her?”

  “Look, it took me years to build my wicked reputation. Why would I want to destroy it over one woman who is ready to pack up and leave any day?”

  “Your reputation is plum embarrassing.” She folded her arms across the front of her yellow print blouse. “And because sometimes the heart can’t help where it lands.”

  “My heart is right in the center of my chest where it belongs.”

  “All y’all are so much alike, it makes my head hurt. I don’t know what I did wrong to raise such a hardheaded bunch of boys.”

  Jesse leaned down and kissed her cheek. “We’re just taking after you.”

  “Nonsense.” Her voice came out a gruff expression of disappointment. “The moment your daddy and I met, that was it. We knew we belonged together. Neither of us was perfect. Neither of us expected perfection. We worked together. We loved each other. And until your brother . . .”

  Jesse wanted to ask what she was referring to—­that his brother had died or that his brother was homosexual. Had his mother known?

  “We had a very good life.” Eyes filled with unshed tears, she reached up and stroked his cheek. “I just want each of you boys to find that one person in your life that makes you happy. Before it’s too late.”

  Yeah. She knew. She had to. The woman was more intuitive than the woman in Comfort who told fortunes for a living.

  Still, he needed to have that talk with her and the rest of the boys. Especially now that he’d opened up to Allison.

  “I promise you . . .” He took her hand and kissed it. Clasped it to his heart. “If the love of my life comes dancing before my eyes, I will reach out, grab her, and make her mine.”

  His mother gave him a watery smile.

  “Now,” he said, “make those happy tears and go help my brother get married.”

  She opened her mouth, and before she spoke, he knew exactly what she would say.

  “One Wilder at a time, Mom.”

  “Hardheaded or not, you’re a good boy, son.”

  “Now, don’t go starting rumors.”

  With a laugh, she went off to wrap up the rehearsal-­dinner preparations. He looked up, searching out the small brunette who’d somehow landed an unexpected wallop to his heart. When he found her, she had little Izzy in her arms. They were dancing cheek to cheek to an imaginary song. As though she felt his gaze on her, she looked up and smiled.

  Keep your promise.

  Reach out.

  Make her yours.

  There were few things in life Allison craved. But as she wandered among those gathered at the rehearsal dinner for Charli and Reno, she realized she’d always craved this kind of close-­knit family.

  The conversation was lively. The food delicious. And the genuine affection of those assembled—­including her father—­was too much to deny. She glanced across the lawn at her dad, who stood talking with a protective arm around Annie’s shoulders. She couldn’t blame him for moving to Sweet. Couldn’t blame him for wanting to stay. And as her gaze fell upon Jana, she couldn’t blame him for wanting to be a part of the family Jana had created and nurtured.

  Heck, she wanted to be a part.

  “It’s all a bit tacky, isn’t it?”

  Allison looked up to find Lauren, the very young, very unsophisticated, very leggy blonde General Brooks had shown up with on his arm. “Excuse me?”

  “This.” She waved an arm. “It’s nothing like the parties back in DC. It’s just so . . . hillbilly. I mean, there’s a goat walking around wearing a ribbon around its neck. It doesn’t get more redneck than that, does it? I know the bride was in show business although I have no idea who she is. Supposedly, she’s a designer. So you think she’d have better taste.”

  “You have no idea who your boyfriend’s daughter is?”

  Lauren shrugged a bony shoulder. “You’d think she’d at least try to class things up a little. I can’t even imagine what kind of gown she’ll wear. Hopefully, it won’t be camo like the one Honey Boo Boo’s mom wore.”

  Charli’s gown was understated elegance. And she’d look like a princess wearing it. But whether Charli wore a beaded fit-­and-­flair gown or Daisy Dukes to her wedding, she’d have more class in one strand of hair than this after-­market boobed creature.

  It wasn’t often Allison allowed rage to overtake her good sense. At that moment, she didn’t bother to hold it back.

  “I’ve been in the wedding business for a long time.”

  “Oh? Then maybe I can call you for advice when the general and I get married. And we will. He just hasn’t asked yet.”

  “Right.” Allison had a feeling General Brooks’s bimbo would be waiting a long time for the man to put a ring on her finger. Men like him didn’t marry women like her. They made great playthings but rarely made good wives.

  “In any case,” Allison said, “you might want to keep in mind that tacky is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes the things one chooses to wear”—­she dropped her gaze to the woman’s dress, which seemed more appropriate for a swing shift on Sunset Boulevard than a family gathering—­“just reek of desperation.”

  Lauren’s overly glossed mouth dropped open with a soundless gasp.

  “So tomorrow when you show up for the general’s daughter’s very classy and poignant wedding,” Allison said, “maybe you could show up in something that doesn’t look like it should be worn on Pimp My Ride. And maybe you could pretend to appreciate being invited to this wedding. Because it’s an honor to be here.”

  Lauren stomped off, hooker stilettos teetering in the gravel. Allison was delighted to see that the sausage-­casing dress she wore was stuffed up into the crack of her skinny ass. No doubt a souvenir from sitting on those tacky picnic benches.

  Someone chuckled from behind, and Allison turned to find Jesse there with the biggest grin she’d ever seen.

  “You sure y’all don’t have Southern in your blood?” he drawled. “Because that sure was a powerful Texas tornado I just witnessed.”

  Allison threw another glare in the escaping Lauren’s direction. “She said mean things about my friends.”

  “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

  His smile melted away her anger. “I’m not sure you could.”

  “Does that mean I get a free pass?”

  She leaned into him and turned on the flirt. “Depends on what you’re offering to stay on my good side.”

  “Right now . . .” He gave her a look and slowly trailed his fingers down her arm. A slew of tingles shot right through the center of her heart and down into her core. “You could have just about anything you asked for.”

  “That’s a lot of options.”

  A
smile spread over those masculine lips she’d kissed and was tempted to taste again right then and there. No matter who watched.

  “I’m all yours,” he said.

  She wished.

  “Thank you.” He took her hand and locked their fingers together.

  “For?”

  His gaze searched her face, and he made her feel like they were the only ones on the face of the earth. “Looking out for my family.”

  “Family always comes first.”

  He nodded. “Looks like you’ve been paying attention.”

  “More closely than you can imagine,” she said. And then she rose to her toes and kissed the corner of his mouth. “But if you tell anyone, I’ll have to turn on the tornado and take you down.”

  “Darlin’, you keep using words like ‘take me,’ and we’ve got a deal.”

  Her heart fluttered. For the first time, she began to believe that anything was possible.

  Even finding the elusive soul mate and falling in love.

  Chapter 16

  Everyone had an opinion on the best time of day to hold a wedding. As an event planner, Allison believed there were certain factors to consider: season, honeymoon destination, and the time of day the bride always looked her best. In certain situations, that factor could also include such anomalies as when the mother of the bride might be sober or how long they had before the bouncing-­baby shotgun reason for the wedding made its appearance.

  During her final inspection of the wedding venue before the ceremony began, she moved past the gallery of white folding chairs. Charli and Reno had chosen dusk in the Town Square gazebo for their special day. Each row had been accented with small votive lanterns to welcome the arrival of the wedding party and their guests.

  Allison stopped at the front row of the groom’s side and looked down at the chair where earlier she’d placed an eight-­by-­ten photograph of Jared Wilder in his Marine dress blues. The elaborate midnight blue jacket emblazoned with ribbons and medals had been draped over the back of the chair, while Jared’s crisp white hat with its eagle, globe, and anchor ornament sat on the seat next to his photo. Charli had insisted Jared be included in the wedding in spirit even if he couldn’t be there in person. A touching tribute to the man so many ­people loved and admired. Whether they knew he was gay or not.